5 Things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown: WrestleMania rivals set for title win at Elimination Chamber, Popular star turns heel after 5 years (February 19th, 2021)

#3 Apollo Crews' heel turn is in full effect on SmackDown

Apollo Crews with a vicious assault

Big E was ringside enjoying a healthy meal on SmackDown while being the spectator for the Apollo Crews vs Shinsuke Nakamura match. Apollo Crews felt disrespected by Big E constantly snubbing him for an Intercontinental title shot. Crews stated that if the IC Champion spoke to his royal Nigerian ancestors in the same fashion, he would have his tongue cut off.

Extreme threat aside, Big E made it clear to Michael Cole and Corey Graves that even if Apollo Crews won, he wasn't interested in facing him - especially since he already defeated Apollo Crews on multiple occasions in the past few weeks on SmackDown.

.@ShinsukeN picks up the win but @WWEApollo is NOT done!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Pxss06mYgL

— WWE (@WWE) February 20, 2021

Instead, Big E was keener on praising Shinsuke Nakamura. The Japanese star won the match on SmackDown with a clever finish, and Apollo Crews instantly launched a post-match assault. After he was ready to slam Nakamura with the steel steps, Big E stopped him and went to tend to the 2018 Royal Rumble winner.

.@WWEBigE is being taken out of the #WWEThunderDome after that VICIOUS assault by @WWEApollo...#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6FYb3CCQBU

— WWE (@WWE) February 20, 2021

Instead, Apollo Crews launched the steel steps on both men, taking out Shinsuke Nakamura before injuring Big E. This was the heel Apollo Crews that we've been waiting to see on the main roster. Is this the start of yet another great run for Crews on SmackDown?